Several big donors are publicly urging RNC to dump Donald Trump

RNC chairman Reince Priebus is getting hammered

(Image credit: John Moore/Getty Images)

Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus reiterated Monday that the RNC is squarely and enthusiastically behind GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump, but large-money donors are urging the RNC to disavow Trump to save the GOP from long-lasting damage, The New York Times reports, and the Republican financial apparatus "is wheezing painfully in the final weeks of the race." Priebus is reportedly adrift and sleeping poorly after the release of the video where Trump lewdly boasts about groping women, and is said to fear that years of hard organization work is being undone.

"At some point, you have to look in the mirror and recognize that you cannot possibly justify support for Trump to your children — especially your daughters,” David Humphreys, a Missouri seven-figure GOP donor, tells The New York Times. "Even for loyalists, there is a line beyond which the obvious moral failings of a candidate are impossible to disregard," adds Bruce Kovner, a New York investor and big-money GOP donor. "That line has been clearly breached." Other millionaires are shifting their giving to Libertarian Gary Johnson.

Priebus, despite any private misgivings he may have, is unlikely to cut off Trump, however, and he has strong support from the 168 RNC members. "The views of the committee members, most of whom are party activists, not political professionals, are important because Mr. Priebus is considering running in January for another term as chairman," the Times notes. "And when the party does not control the White House, the chairman is selected by a vote of the members." Read more about the RNC's Trump bind at The New York Times.

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.